7 Tips for Improving Your Business’ Reputation with LinkedIn

Guest post by Heather Johnson.

LinkedIn is becoming one of the most powerful tools in online professional networking. As a proprietor of a home business, you no doubt use the Internet for much of your networking and operations. For that reason, you need to build and protect your online reputation. It has never been easier to improve your personal brand and meet valuable new contacts, thanks to Web 2.0 sites like LinkedIn.

Below are seven tips for improving your business’ reputation with LinkedIn.

1.Complete your entire profile. Don’t just start a LinkedIn account and leave most of your profile blank. The site ranks very high in Google searches, so this is one of the best ways to let potential clients and colleagues know about your skills.

2.Don’t copy and paste your resume. You don’t want a dry LinkedIn profile that merely features your regular resume. Instead, you want to entice people with dynamic descriptions of your personal and professional life. This is more than a resume repository; it is a social networking site.

3.Create a pithy, interesting tag line. The line that is directly under your name on LinkedIn is the first thing people see. Don’t just add anything off the top of your head – you really should think this through, as it will be an advertisement of sorts for your name.

4.Build your contact list. This, more than anything, will let people know how well you are regarded within your industry. Start importing email contacts right away in order to build your contact list. Also, invite people into your network that are two degrees away from you (your contacts’ contacts).

5.Find old co-workers and classmates. Your current colleagues aren’t the only people who can help you out. Use LinkedIn to find your old co-workers and classmates. This will help you catch up with friends from the past and could open you up to many valuable new contacts.

6.Ask for recommendations.There is a section on a LinkedIn profile that showcases a person’s recommendations from colleagues. You will probably have to solicit people for these, so don’t be shy about asking those near and dear to you. Also, you can start recommending other colleagues in hopes that they return the favor.

7.Introduce yourself to those within your industry. You don’t have to stay within your inner circle. In fact, the whole point of LinkedIn is to help you meet new contacts. A search feature on the site will allow you to find people within your industry. Find those you might wish to work with and send a direct invite.

By-line:

Heather Johnson is a regular commentator on the subject of credit card types. She welcomes your feedback and potential job inquiries at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.